5 comments about Writing from the Heart: Tapping the Power of Your Inner Voice.

1. Writers-block doesn't exist if you have read "Writing from The Heart". Stripping writers- both novice and experienced-down to the basics, Nancy Slonim Aronie, guides us through doors that were once closed, sometimes even slammed in our face, and assures us that they can be walked through. Using compassion and humor, this book flows like a river, and while it may not have been written with ease- it sure reads that way. If you are a writer of any kind, this book should be kept right next to your dictionary and your Writers Market.



2. I've taken several workshops with Nancy and have always come away exhilirated and with the kernels of ideas for many new essays. She just has this way of stimulating your brain to make new leaps and insights. Basically, she teaches you how to get out of your own way and let your creativity flow. Her main thrust is to create a safe place in your mind where you can risk trying new things. The book is just like talking with her -- if you can't take one of her courses, it's the next best thing.



3. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. The way the author sets up the reading and then BAM...tells you to write xyz. And you really are ready to write xyz. You'll be overflowing with ideas. It makes you say "what writer's block". I had to force myself to put my journal down. I love this book. I'm not even half way through it but I've already gotten my money out of it. It will probably be a classic on my shelf. Get the book, you won't be dissappointed. I wish I could take one of her workshops.



4. Ok, so you want to write "your story", or create a character that surprise! is so very like you. Or maybe you just want to start writing in first person present. But you can't!!! You try but it just doesn't come out right. You resist, you tell yourself that you can't do it. That you suck. Well, perhaps you honestly do but before you start to believe it pick up this book.
   
   I think that the real problem, for me anyway, when it comes to writing first person present or developing a character that has experiences based upon mine, is fear. Fear of what might happen if I dare to dig into my life, my feelings.
   
   What this book did for me was help me to get over that fear. Or it at least inspired me and made me want to keep trying to write my truth. It's difficult when writing like this to REMEMBER two things: It's FICTION and no one HAS to see it but you.
   
   This book isn't dry and it isn't authoritative. In a witty, conversational manner Nancy gives you reasons to write your truth, to get out of your way, to break the barriers that are keeping you from writing something real and honest. Give yourself permission to feel and pick up this book! I think you will like it ;)



5. As a memoir and personal essay workshop leader, I highly recommend this book to every new writer in my classes. It's right at the top of my required reading list, along with Anne Lamott's BIRD BY BIRD and Brenda Ueland's IF YOU WANT TO WRITE. Aronie's book helps slice through the fear that haunts most new writers who aren't sure how or where to begin. Best of all, she highlights the importance of telling your own truth, which leads to the healing gifts of writing. Whether you want to write for your own pleasure or for publication, this is a wonderful book. A classic in the genre. -- Cindy La Ferle, columnist and author of WRITING HOME, www.laferle.com

5 comments about Astral Voyages.

1. The book is fantastic for those who want to shed the physical realm. A great guide for the beginner in Astral Projection.



2. This book is riddled with fallacies and very poorly organized. Although some of the ideas were interesting, it seemed like the author just made everything up! It's amazing that something like this actually got published.
   I think this paragraph about the author's "trip" to one of the astral planes speaks for itself.
   "Suddenly the figure of the evil Darth Vader came out of the woods... My astral sense of humor was in attendance, as I created a can of spinach, opened it with miniature lightning bolts, and consumed this can of power immediately.
   Just like Popeye, my fists grew in size, and I punched Darth Vader right through his helmet..."
   How stupid does the author really think we are? This obviously reflects his opinion of the readers of his book.
   If you want to expand spiritually, I suggest reading something by Thich Nhat Hanh, or any author that knows what they're writing about.



3. I completely agree with the review that questioned Bruce Goldberg's knowledge of the subject matter. I purchased the book because the jacket suggested interesting subject matter. Trying to read through each chapter was agonizing. The author would do well to have a good editor organize the book, putting topics under a chapter heading appropriate to the content. Oh, I agree. The content seemed to have been made up. The book is riddled heavily with misinformation.
   I have an advanced degree in psychology and have studied unconventional therapy methods. Woe to his clients! Mr. Goldberg tries to impress by sprinkling his book with references to psychological theory. His training as a dentist attests to his background in psychology.
   The question of what to do with the book...I wouldn't give it to anyone, except as a joke. I certainly won't be referring to any information contained therein. Oh well, it's been a lesson in avoiding any works by this author in the future.



4. This is the only book you'll ever need on Astral Travel. The book is not filled with misinformation - perhaps to those who have not tried it or who gave up to soon. I stumbled on this book by mistake - having been astral traveling for years - so I bought the book and the Darth Vador thing might seem like a joke to some people, but it is infact funny to those of us who do astral travel and have had like situations happen. For someone who has been astral traveling for years (without books or guidance) I found this book incredible useful as it taught me new things that worked when I tried them out. The book is organized wonderfully and though a few chapters were hard to get through (a few only) it was still worth reading them as the information is very informative and really helps you reach new levels in your astral voyoages. I give it five stars and I highly recommend it.



5. A hair more than 250 pages, this book talks about (duh) astral stuff. I got it about a year or more ago because I wanted some base info on astral voyaging and this book fit the bill nicely. The first thing you see is a quote, by Greek philosopher Posidonius, more than 2000 years ago: "The body of the sleeper is as one dead, but the soul lives on in the fullness of its power." (Awesome, huh?)
   
   Astral travel, as the book says, is traveling at the speed of light, to a place where all past, present, and future events occur simultaneously. You may travel to a foreign country, the Moon, or just to the other side of the room. You might visit a friend or a relative. Wouldn't it be nice to take a journey and NOT have to think about MONEY for hotels, food, and plane fare? We use some ridiculous amount of that grey matter we call a brain, something like 3 %? Wonder what the rest is for? Hmmmm. So, open yourself up to the possibility and just think about it. I found the book very interesting. Anyway, the author said you astral travel when you dream anyway, so poo-poo that one, Bucko!
   
   Lots of people claim to have Out-of-Body Experiences (OBEs) and Near-Death Experiences (NDEs). My oh-so-logical left-brained brother had a NDE during a lung cancer operation. It took him awhile before he could bring himself to tell me about it. It blew his logical brain all to heck when he waited on the "other side" while they decided if he would stay or go back. He said it was so beautiful there he didn't know which he wanted to do. Then they came and got him and took him back (but he only stayed about 6 more months). Anyway, this book talks about OBEs and NDEs as well as astral projection, astral entities, other dimensions, astral voyaging techniques, lucid dreaming, astral healing, and (woobie-woobie) astral SEX. Chapter 12 is "Astral Sex." I'm sorry, I can't discuss it with you; I don't know you that well. You'll just have to read it for yourself, but v-e-r-r-y interesting.
   
   Chapter 14 names some scientific groups who study astral voyaging and mentions a blurb on each and what they're doing: The Society for Psychical Research, The American Society for Psychic Research, The Psychical Research foundation, Stanford Research Institute.
   
   By the way, the book also provides some info on charkas, the auric body, aura colors, [ascended] masters and guides, the akashic records, and lots of other base info. It provides tips as well as techniques for astral voyaging--you know, the "how to". Like I said, an enjoyable book with lots of general info plus techniques. I suspect you will read it more than once, too.

5 comments about Got Parts? An Insider's Guide to Managing Life Successfully with Dissociative Identity Disorder (New Horizons in Therapy).

1. This is a very clearly written book for the person with DID and for those who need a refresher or are new to DID. It is specific, positive, and affirming of the process and the need for therapy and support. I highly recommend it for therapists new to DID, and their DID clients.



2. Got Parts? An Insider's Guide to Managing Life Successfully with Dissociative Identity Disorder, is a practical guide for those with Dissociative Identity Disorder, previously called Multiple Personality Disorder.
   
   The book covers everything from what Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is to how to find a good counselor to how to deal with life issues. I felt the book was complete except in the area of discussing the distinct, important spiritual aspects of DID. Like several earlier books, Got Parts? highlighted the importance of spiritual healing in DID. But also like several earlier books, Got Parts? limited spiritual healing to Christian ethics, which, since abusive people can choose to use any kind of ritual to abuse, can reinitiate abuse in the recovering DID individual.
   
   A much more complete book is "The Dissociative Identity Disorder Sourcebook", published in 2001 by Conbtemporary Books and written by Deborah Bray Haddock. Ms. Haddock also discusses the importance of spiritual damage and the need for spiritual healing, but she emphasizes the need for nonjudgemental, overall spirituality rather than any one religious philosophy.



3. Never received the book, only paid for it. Was in the States for over 1 months after order. Very dissapointed. Bad service!!!!!



4. I didn't find the book particularly helpful, but if you are new to the subject of psychological disorders and dissociative disorders it may be helpful.



5. "Got Parts? An Insider's GUide to Managing Life Successfully With Dissociative Identity Disorder" (whew!)is the best book I have yet read on D.I.D., a disorder that is still not really in the consciousness of the wider public. This is an authentic, useful, and ultimately hopeful book from the point of view of a middle-aged women with multiple personalities. ATW's (the author's initials) advice covers: the symptoms of D.I.D.; learning to know your alters, both old and young; making a safe space for the alters when they are not "on"; how to "lockdown" alters who are a threat to the core personality; how to get the treatment you need; self-care; and the work of re-integrating at least some of the inner personalities. As someone who has a family member recently diagnosed with D.I.D., I found this the most informative and helpful of all the books I've read. This would be a compassionate gift for a parent, spouse, sibling, or friend of someone with D.I.D. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

5 comments about Inner Bonding: Becoming a Loving Adult to Your Inner Child.

1. I actually stumbled across these ladies on the internet while frantically searching for information on self esteem. I had found myself, once again, very confused and lost with how to even look at myself anymore. I am not religous and had judgements on self help that were less than savory. I honestly wanted someone to talk to, but the prospect of paying for someone to listen felt cheap and almost disgusting. All I felt I needed was a guide, some understanding, and some tools. I can't understand why tools for love and success should cost anyway when the outcome of not having them is so damaging and expensive in all aspects. Anyway, on their website is a PDF file of 40 pages that explains in outstanding clarity and power the 6 steps of inner bonding. It was free. I then spent the next 3-4 hours crying in relief and amazment that I could relate, understand, put to work, and actually FEEL what they were writing about. No, it is not a quick fix, but relief was in sight and could now be actually attained for good. Reading about inner bonding and the whole process was the sweetest and most intimate 3-4 hours that I have had in a very long time. I had not felt that close to myself before. If you are jaded, believe that nothing can fix you, are picky about how you deal with what you know is a never ending destructive cycle, and don't want to pay a dime (yet); read the PDF file from their website. Hopefully, you'll have an open heart, and surrender (the good kind of surrender) enough to let it reach you a little. It doesn't take much. If nothing has worked for you, it's probably because it wasn't realistic, thorough, or relative (or maybe you could always pick it apart). These processes that they explain will relate and you won't be able to help the feeling that your tools have been attained and that with some work (very sweet and true work) your healing will begin and you'll feel free from self destructive cycles, addictions, blame, deppression etc. You owe it to yourself. HIGHLY RECCOMENDED



2. No doubt about it, the book is very good. My fiancee and I have been reading it. More importantly, we met with a certified facilitator in Anderson, Indiana whom I found on the Inner Bonding web site about a week before we ordered the book. Now when we read the book, we have the palpable experience of inner child contact that the book can refer to, but is simply too remarkable to describe with words. You have to feel this. I could not have been more surprised. I don't know where we will go with Inner Bonding, but we will probably sign up for an intensive. The drive up to Anderson took two hours and the session lasted over an hour. Both of us had a truly remarkable and tangible experience. Buy the book. Meet with a facilitator.



3. I whole heartedly agree with the other comments made about this book, worth every cent and more!



4. i think this is one off the best books i have read on loving your inner child. dr paul talks about codepenence and narcissistic behavior ."THE BASIS OF ALL DEPENDENCE IS THE EMPTINESS AND ALONENESS WITHIN THAT COMES FROM THE DISCONNECTION BETWEEN THE INNER ADULT AND THE INNER CHILD" .. i like this book and use this in my medical pratice..



5. I have had this book for awhile, along with being a member at the InnerBonding.com community for some time and wanted to add my 2 cents about this process. I had spent YEARS in therapy, THOUSANDS on self-help books, and YEARS in massive self-pain, destructive relationships, and feeling absolutely helpless in my life. I came across the Inner Bonding website, and tried the free course. within weeks i saw a significant change in my life, and i have not bought a self-help book or tried any other method since, i don't need to. Inner Bonding is all i need, working with the supportive community is amazing. I am a completely different person, and i owe it all to Inner Bonding. Do yourself a favor and check it out!

5 comments about The Inner Child Workbook: What to do with your past when it just won't go away.

1. I thought overall that the book was very good at helping me recognize the roots to the problems in my adult life. As a sexual abuse survivor, it has opened the doors to the little child inside of me that needs to feel safe and loved. It was very easy to read and easy to understand. The only negative thing I would have to say about the book is that it was very thorough on addressing the roots of problems, but not necessarily on what you can do now to overcome them. (But I suppose that's another story......)



2. After many other books on inner child work have come and gone, I keep coming back to this one. The author has given what is arguably the most complete map of the inner child work that has ever been written. To have instructions like this, that take us gently into our own inner mythology is a rare gift. If God/Goddess had commissioned an instruction manual for how to navigate these inner territories, it would have been this one. Come to think of it, maybe that's what happened! For anyone interested in doing really solid inner child work, this book is one they must read and DO! There's the potential for so much healing, and ultimately inner peace in this book!



3. There's a difference of talking of what your traumas (no matter how significant)are, and actually releasing the feelings and energies that accompany them. If you're really ready to get your life going and become a whole person, this book will do it. Once you've looked at the inner feelings and dealt with them, you're on your way to whatever you want of yourself. Talk about opening doors. You're worth it.



4. I did not find this book to be a helpful resource for my clients who have had difficult or painful childhood experiences. In many cases the exercises in this book require a greater degree of affect tolerance than the client has at her disposal. The consequence for the reader using this strictly as a self-help book,easily could be emotional overwhelm, and reinforcement of poor self-esteem as the reader continues to wonder what is wrong with her; this time because she cannot accomplish the tasks outlined in this workbook.



5. I really enjoyed this book, I found it thorough and empathic. The reader is lead through the many stages of childhood with compassion and given helpful exercises to overcome issues and obstacles present at each stage. The ability to understand the child is well presented by the author. As with psychotherapy generally it is more helpful to work with a therapist, this book is a great beginner or would work well alongside psychotherapy sessions.

5 comments about Healing Your Aloneness: Finding Love and Wholeness Through Your Inner Child.

1. This is really one of the most profound books out there on Inner Child work. It is written in a concise, easy to read and follow manner. I bought it some time ago and recently was drawn back to reading it and this time the light bulb really went off and I really "got it." The authors do an excellent job in really making it very reader-friendly. My copy is now dog-eared and highlighted all through...it has helped me tremendously and continues to help me tremendously as an individual, and also as a counselor/therapist.



2. Most of us have been raised by parents who did not realize the damage they did to us in our formative years.
   
   This book allows us to see and repair that damage and therefore to treat ourselves as our parents should have treated us.
   
   I recommend this book highly.



3. I gave this book to my friend on her 45th birthday. She can't stop talking about it and how much it has helped her.She says she just keeps reading it over and over again.



4. This book is tremendous to help to heal the wounds inside. I rate it 100 stars



5. I recommend this book to everyone! We all have inner issues, even if we're not aware of them. This book helps us understand where they came from and how to start healing them. There are so many good points that are made in this book. After reading this book, for the first time in my life, I was happy being alone. It changed me, and I am SO thankful for that!

5 comments about Recovery of Your Inner Child: The Highly Acclaimed Method for Liberating Your Inner Self.

1. If you are trying to find out where to begin your search for your inner child this is a good place to start. There are a number of excercises written in plain english that you can do alone, or share with your therapist.



2. This book has Art Therapy exercises and dialog exercises with your inner child (who can be playful, vulnerable, angry, etc). For instance you might be instructed to ask your inner child a question by writing it with your dominant hand. Then you answer the question with your nondominant hand (e.g. for many of us our left hand that we don't usually write with). There are also exercises that involve your internalized Parent (nuruturing, protective, critical, etc.)

   The exercises seem to be a blend of Art Therapy, Transactional Analysis and Gestault Experiments. As such the exercises can be somewhat risky since they bring up intense feelings. I wouldn't use some of these except under a therapist's supervision.

   However, this book seem VERY useful for adding to the tools of a practicing therapist.




3. This is one of the best books I've read on how to discover your inner child. It has many excercises to use to "talk" to your inner child. It showed me how to have a first hand experience with my inner child...and to actually feel the emotions. By writting and drawing with my non-dominant hand, I could actually have conversations with my inner child. I learned a lot about who my inner child was, the way she was feeling and how to make her feel happier and safer! The book stirs up many emotions that were buried for years, thus, helping me become healthier! One of the best self-help tools I have ever used!!



4. In response to other reviews here, I would agree that the emotions which can come up under the aegis of these methods might be too intense for readers with absolutely no grounding in self examination at all. People who need therapy first and foremost will not get therapy just by reading this - or any other book - and they should get a good referral and go do that. But those who are indeed ready, willing and able to undertake their own self examination will find so much that is useful and eye opening here, it seems a shame to dissuade anyone from working with this book and these methods. Therapists and their clients should welcome this as an opportunity to dive more deeply, quickly and thoroughly into the healing process. Capacchione's work is really brilliant.
   
   I have previously worked with her Visioning book and really love that and have reviewed it as well. It can be said perhaps that just as that book shows us how to look to our future, the Inner Child work developed here shows us how to understand our past. Under careful guidance, the reader is walked through and encouraged to interact with an array of internal figures who compete to shape our reality, whether we realize it or not. The reader gets an opportunity to examine past patterns and see how this is related to conflicting internal needs for support, protection, vulnerability, self expression, survival and so on. The reader then re-directs this internal pantheon to a more harmonious, healing and supportive dynamic, allowing one to release old material and perhaps to discern with fresh eyes how such old patterns may be playing out in the present. It is so much better to see things for how they really are, rather than through the veil of past dramas which continually reassert themselves through our unconscious until we are able to heal ourselves from these burdens. This book gives one the opportunity to put that old material to rest, to truly love oneself rather than looking to the outside world to supply what we can truly only find from within and to move into a new phase of renewal, creativity and healthy relationship.
   
   I can not say enough to praise this and other books by Capacchione.



5. Once I began working with this book, I purchased it as a gift for a friend of mine. If I could afford to, I would buy one for everyone I loved. There is much healing as a result of connecting with our Inner Child, in a creative, fun, entertaining, self-loving way. This book, is that way... I continue to enjoy working with it. I ALWAYS feel genuinely connected to my True Self when I do the exercises.

5 comments about Forgiveness/Loving the Inner Child.

1. Louise Hay is a wonderful, gifted intuitive who provides love and encouragement through any difficult process. I highly recommend her tapes for anyone who wants to grow spiritually, and improve their life!



2. Since 1988, I have listened to Louise Hay and bought her books. This particular CD is one of Louise Hay's best work ever! This is a short CD only about 30 minutes (great to listen to in the morning before starting the day or on a break at work). This is a very soothing CD The sound quality is excellent and the message truly inspired me to think about:
   1) How to love yourself and how to accept yourself. (Part One)
   2) How to forgive yourself and others. (Part Two)
   This CD I will listen to often because it has caused me to realize just how important it is to love yourself and forgive yourself for past mistakes and to forgive others. It it true freedom to do thse things! I highly recommend this to anyone in need of making a positive change to your life! It really works!



3. Wonderfully inspiring, you can never go wrong with Louise Hay! Easy to listen to and promotes self-healing!! I highly recommend this to others that are interested in any type of self-help.



4. I was at a group Dec 11 where this CD was used. When done and the lights raised at least half present had tears in thier eyes. It is a powerful excercise in letting go, forgiving the past and meeting the future. Louise Hays CD's and tapes have been helping people for almost two decades. They are the best of the best. If you can buy only one, start with " You can heal your life" ( The book that made her famous and helped millions.) Most likely if you are like the rest of us, you will soon therafter want to own her CD's and tapes. Don't hesitate to buy her products. You are worth it!



5. Thank you for this wonderful CD. I appreciate the help it will provide.
   Sincerely
   Lynn

5 comments about Growing Yourself Back Up.

1. This is the best book I have read for a long time and it's changing my life! John Lee has given everyone a gift in this book. My therapist has ordered copies to give to people because she read it after me and thinks everyone should have a copy.
   John's style is easy to read, easy to relate to and understand, as well as making you smile. I could identify with so much that he wrote and I loved his analogies. The story of the gazelle was timely and helped me to understand my physical responses to fear and the defence mechanisms I experience when facing some of the emotional pain of my past.
   I have gone on to read "Facing the Fire" which is another excellent read.
   If John ever came to the U.K. I would love to attend one of his workshops.



2. I just wanted to say that John Lee did a great job on this book. It is a small little tome but it is packed with helpful and insightful information that helped me understand not only myself but my crazy husband and mother! It is one of those "ah-ha" type of books, where every paragraph made you gasp and grab your pen and underline an idea. My husband read this book and it helped him a ton with his "abandoned little boy" issues; it's done more for him than two years' of therapy. However, it is definitely a book you want to keep and re-read a couple of times, because you just can't absorb all of the information in it in one attempt. I want my husband to go and visit Lee next; I've heard he's even better in one-on-one therapy sessions.



3. Never in my many years of therapy nor reading various self-help books have I ever ran across the likes that this gem of a book offers. The insight is truly amazing and is spoken from a perspective of one whom has - through the arduous process of elimination - able to discern the REAL heart of the matter that so many of us deal with - primarily on an unconscious level and convey the lessons in a friendly and easy to read format. I am already "catching myself" in the throes of regression as it is happening and it is making all the difference in the world to me.....(and that's only based on the Intro and Chapter 1.) My only regret is that I wasn't aware of this book many years ago!!! A MUST READ for anyone serious about changing the same ole, same ole dynamics in their life!!!



4. Has really helped me get a hold of dealing not only with my own regression but also other people's regression. Has made my life a whole lot easier to deal with by managing my environment and those people in it.



5. I have read several books on human behavior, spiritiual growth, and many research reports on psychology. This book is truly amazing in that it has answered, as well as identified something for me that I always felt, but could never really identify exactly what was going on. I had spoken to some people about "feeling like a kid" in certain instances, but for many many years, I never had anyone speak of regression. This book is absolutely identifies things that we can do to eliminate subconscious behaviors and feelings, and act like the adults we are. Excellent Book!

5 comments about Healing The Child Within: Discovery and Recovery for Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families.

1. I thought this was hard to follow and written more for a psychologist than an average person.



2. This book, consisting of 15 chapters and roughly 145 pages, is easy to read and well written, but difficult to get through. It was not difficult in a sense of reading it, but it was difficult in an emotional sense. This book has given me great insights and shocks to which it gave me a harsh glimpse into my past. It gave me a lot to absorb.
   
   The strategies, the tables, the stories, and the recommendations in this book are very helpful and encouraging for utilization in one's life. For one to work through the fogs of hidden shame and guilt as well other negative aspects of one's false self, I would humbly recommend this book.



3. I was told to read this book while attending a beginning actors class at UCLA. At first this seemed odd, but after reading the book I started to finally take my life more seriously. I learned that from now on if I want to be strong and happy I have to take steps to heal. I do come from a family of abuse and denial about the abuse. My dad and my brother abused me. My mom was verbally abusive but still very sheltering and protective of me from a very early age. My mom left my dad the day she found out he was abusing me. I was only four years old. This was important for me. But I guess I felt I had to soldier on and never complain about my feelings and what had happened to me. I felt I had to be the good kid the family turned to for help. This book gave me a sense of freedom to be okay with myself, and that I can act out once in awhile. I deserve to be happy and I do not deserve anyone in my life that cannot give me love and support. I am going to give this book to my sister and I hope she can begin to heal too. I hope people can read it and cry, but its okay to cry, it cleanses you and helps you realize you can survive and get stronger. Give yourself time and be gentle with yourself.



4. The book was easy to read and understand. I found it very thought provoking and partly useful in dealing with some long standing issues from my childhood. I felt the author could have provided more help to me rather than trying to get me to see a "professional" in the field. All though that may be necessary at some point I will look for other books that provide more direction to me to help myself.



5. I suggest you read this book. I often felt isolated and "different", not knowing why. Just reading through this book uncovered and healed much of my pain that I denied having for so long. This book has been a gift to me, helping me to understand myself and others much more, which is what I always really wanted. I felt so stuck, and this book along with a few other materials was a real lifechanger. It put into words what I didn't want to know, only to free me of the shame through acknowledgement. Truly a springboard to a better life!